Residents urge Albany County Legislature to end airport deal with Avelo Airlines over deportation concerns

Multiple residents used the public comment period at the Dec. 22 Albany County Legislature meeting to press officials to end the county’s relationship with Avelo Airlines, saying the airline participates in flights that deport people and that the county and airport authority have not been transparent about the contract.

"Stop acting as if you're defending principles of capitalism or competition...Recognize that you are profiting and helping a private company," said Rosemary Armamento, who identified herself as a member of Colony Indivisible, urging legislators to "please do what's right." Armamento told the chamber she has spoken previously to the body and asked officials to end the airport’s deal with Avelo.

Wendy Dwyer, who said she volunteers with refugee resettlement, linked humanitarian concerns to the airport arrangement and told the legislature, "Albany County must evict Avelo. We cannot be complicit with cruelty." Another commenter, identified only as Mariana, alleged the airline assists a DHS commercial carrier with deportation flights and accused the county and airport authority of failing to provide the contract despite two FOIL requests: "This body and the airport authority are responsible for overseeing public facilities. Yet here you are intentionally smashing the light bulbs to keep yourselves in the dark," she said.

Speakers asked the legislature to demand release of the airport contract and to withdraw county support for Avelo; none of the public-requested actions—contract release or termination of the airport relationship—were placed on the meeting agenda or voted on during the session. The chair closed the public forum at the conclusion of comments and the legislature proceeded to its scheduled business, including adoption of the 2026 budget and routine levies later in the meeting.

The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to make requests to the legislature; any formal action on county contracts or airport oversight would require a separate agenda item or committee review before a vote.